Magazine lists of all kinds that rank cities and states often draw a skeptical response from people who question their methodology or real value.
But a new ranking of Georgia as having the second-best business climate in the U.S. should have a positive impact on efforts to attract companies and jobs here, a top state development official said.
Georgia came in second, after Texas, in Site Selection magazine's assessment of states with the best business climate. The ranking is based on a survey of corporate real estate executives as well as on factors including tax climate and business activity.
The survey of executives is noteworthy because they are facility site selectors. Georgia placed third in the survey, behind Texas and North Carolina.
"It helps us," said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Economic Development Corp. "It helps get us on the short list" of states that companies consider when looking to locate somewhere. "It's a great tool."
Georgia has been moving up the annual list.
"Georgia has consistently been improving its performance in our annual ranking of state business climates, from 10th place in 2008 to eighth place in 2009 to sixth place in 2010 to second place this year," said Mark Arend, Site Selection's editor.
"When states demonstrate, not just talk about, their commitment to helping businesses grow, capital investors notice," he said. "Many reward those states with new facilities and jobs, which clearly has been the case in Texas."
About the Author
